Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
Viktor
T he wedding guests were vaguely familiar, a blur of faces filling the grand space. Yet Viktor barely noticed them. His focus was entirely on the woman walking toward him. Her every step seemed to echo in his chest, louder than the ceremonial music playing in the background. In mere minutes, she’d be his wife.
Viktor had never given marriage much thought until Konstantin’s offer. Even then, he hadn’t truly understood what it would mean. But now, as Sofia approached in a white dress that left him breathless, the weight of it hit him all at once. What would it be like to have her, wholly and completely, as his? Could she ever truly belong to him?
Would his enemies use her against him? It was a fleeting concern—Viktor doubted they’d be so bold, not when this union was a power play.. Still, there was one glaring problem: Sofia didn’t like him.
When she finally drew close enough, Viktor allowed himself a moment to study her. She wore light makeup, her luminous gray eyes standing out even more than usual. But they wouldn’t meet his. Instead, they fixed on the front of his shirt, distant and unyielding.
He caught her hesitation as she opened her mouth to speak, then stopped.
Viktor stepped forward, gently taking her hand in his. Her skin was warm, her touch softer than he expected, and she smelled so intoxicatingly good that his resolve wavered for a moment. He wanted—no, needed—to kiss her, to mark her as his.
“You look beautiful, Sofia,” he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “I’m glad you showed up.”
Her lips twisted, more defiance than gratitude. “Not like I had a choice, Viktor.”
He nodded, releasing her hand. “No, you didn’t.”
The ceremony unfolded exactly as Viktor had planned—an elaborate display of power, a spectacle of dominance, and the perfect display of order. Every mafia figure worth their salt had shown up, cloaked in their tailored suits and deadly smiles, all of them keenly aware of the weight of the moment. This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a statement. A reminder that Viktor Ivanov was not merely a player in this game—he was the one calling the shots.
But Sofia’s expression cut through the charade. Her glare was sharp enough to draw blood, and Viktor couldn’t help but smirk. She was furious. He could feel it in the way her jaw clenched, in the fire blazing in her iridescent eyes.
Oh, how she hated him.
The thought thrilled him.
The more she resisted, the more Viktor wanted to break her walls, brick by stubborn brick. Her defiance wasn’t a deterrent; it was an invitation.
After the vows, as they transitioned to the reception, Viktor’s gaze never wavered from Sofia. She moved through the crowd with practiced grace, yet it was clear she felt like an outsider. Her posture was stiff, her every move tense.
“She doesn’t exactly look happy, does she?” a familiar voice drawled beside him.
Viktor turned to Konstantin, who held a glass of champagne, his smirk as smug as ever.
“She’ll adjust,” Viktor replied coolly.
“And if she doesn’t?”
Viktor’s lips twitched into a humorless smile. “She will.”
The reception was a blur of greetings and meaningless conversations, none of which held Viktor’s attention for long. His mind was on Sofia—her every move, every glance, every unspoken word. He noticed the way her stylist, Nina, hovered nearby, fussing over her dress and offering quiet reassurances.
Nina was sharp and outspoken, traits Viktor begrudgingly respected. But her protective stance toward Sofia amused him. Did she really think she could shield Sofia from him? From this life?
Sofia wasn’t just a prize to be claimed. She was a challenge. And Viktor had never met a challenge he couldn’t conquer.
As the evening wound down, Viktor escorted Sofia to the suite he’d prepared. She was silent during the short walk, her expression unreadable. But the moment they entered the room, she spun away from him, collapsing onto the couch like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
Viktor raised an eyebrow, removing his suit jacket with deliberate ease. What’s the matter, darling?”
Her head snapped up, her glare sharp enough to pierce steel. “I can’t go through with this, Viktor. I can’t stand you.”
He chuckled, unbuttoning his shirt. “We don’t have to like each other, Sofia. We’ll consummate the marriage tonight, and you can go on hating me for as long as you like. Does that sound fair?”
Her eyes blazed as she stood, shoving the coffee table aside in her anger. “You think this is a business deal, don’t you? That I’m just another acquisition to add to your empire?”
“Aren’t you?” Viktor countered, his voice cold but laced with amusement.
Viktor moved closer, his gaze dropping to her lips. The memory of their last kiss burned in his mind. He hadn’t forgotten the fire between them, and he knew she hadn’t either.
“You’ll fight,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned in, “but it won’t matter. I always win, Sofia. Just like you didn’t in your father’s office.”
The suite was grand and luxurious, a reflection of Viktor’s power. The bed was large, dark, and inviting, draped in satin sheets that gleamed under the soft light of the chandelier. Everything in the room exuded authority, from the polished wood furniture to the sheer elegance of the space.
Sofia’s eyes darted nervously around the room, but Viktor noticed how her chest heaved. She was already reacting to him, caught in the throes of the desire he had ignited.
He stepped toward her, invading her space and pinning her against the cold, hard wall. His lips grazed her neck, his breath hot against her skin as he whispered, “Don’t make me force you, Sofia. I want you to beg for it.”
But Sofia’s resolve didn’t waver. She wasn’t ready to surrender. Not yet.
Viktor respected that. He could be patient. For now.
With one final glance, he withdrew, leaving her trembling with anticipation, her body aching for what he promised, even if she would never admit it.
“I always get what I want, Sofia.” His voice was low, the dark promise unmistakable. “And tonight will be no different.” The energy between them was charged. Viktor could see it in Sofia's eyes—the wave of hesitation mixed with undeniable desire she refused to acknowledge. She thought she could hide from it, fight against it, but Viktor saw through her defenses. Every slight movement of her body betrayed the truth she wouldn’t admit: she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
But Viktor wasn’t in a rush. He enjoyed the game too much—the chase, the thrill of watching her struggle against her feelings. He moved closer again, his body barely brushing against hers as he whispered in her ear, "This will be a night you'll never forget."
Her eyes flashed with defiance, but it only added fuel to the fire between them. "I told you, I won’t give in to you." Her words were sharp, a brittle snap, yet the unsteady tremor beneath betrayed her underlying emotion. She was nervous, even as her body betrayed her. She wasn’t ready to submit, but Viktor knew she was dangerously close. He could see it in the way her chest heaved, the pulse fluttering beneath her skin.
He stepped back, eyes locked on hers as he studied the woman who was now his wife. He memorized every curve, every inch of her skin that he knew would soon be his to claim. The emotions in the room were palpable, thick with the heat that simmered between them. “That wasn’t what you were saying last time, but just like before, I’ll leave you to your thoughts. You don’t have to give in," he said softly. "But I will have you, Sofia. One way or another.”
Sofia's lips parted as if she was about to retort, but Viktor hushed her with a gentle movement. His finger traced the line of her jaw, his touch firm yet tender, marking his territory. She flinched, but the response only fueled his hunger. His fingers trailed down her arm, sending shivers of anticipation across her skin as he guided her toward the bed. With each step, he savored her growing surrender, her body reacting to his touch. He relished the rapid beat of her heart, a testament to her desire, despite her attempts to conceal it. She wore a white dress, the bodice hugging her frame like a glove, revealing enough cleavage to send Viktor into a frenzy of need.
“You chose the right dress, you know?” he drawled as he reached the foot of the bed. Viktor didn’t stop moving until Sofia plopped down, still staring up at him in defiance. She was already angry with herself for giving in last time, but now she had promised herself that Viktor’s charms wouldn’t work on her. Yet, deep down, she knew her resolve was flimsy against the raw attraction simmering between them.
“I love how it hugs your body, making those delicious curves pop,” he continued, his voice low and sultry. “But I also hate it. I hate how it makes people stare at you longer than necessary. And now, I’m going to have to throw away such a beauty.”
“You are not doing that to my wedding dress!” Sofia snapped, glaring at him.
“I’m not asking for your permission. Besides, have I ever told you how stunning you look when you’re upset? You’re fierce and sexy, and it makes me hard just thinking about it. Do you want to touch it? Want to see what you do to me?”
Sofia’s glare shifted into a reluctant smile, trying not to give him any satisfaction. Viktor scoffed, shaking his head. “I want that dress off your body, baby girl. Stand up and turn around.”
She shook her head vehemently. “I’ve had a long day. I’m going to shower and go to bed.”
“Are you now?” He grasped her wrist and pulled her up sharply, her hands instinctively flying to his chest for balance. Her pulse raced in anticipation, despite herself, as Viktor turned her around. His fingers found the lace of her corset, loosening it as if he had done it a thousand times before. His long fingers scorched her bare back as they worked, and Sofia swallowed the moans that threatened to escape her lips. She was determined to resist for as long as she could, but she had no idea how long that would be—or how short.
With a swift motion, the dress fell to her waist, and Viktor pulled down the zipper, his eyes darkening with satisfaction as the fabric pooled around her feet. “Now step out of it,” he instructed.
Sofia obliged, telling herself it was for practical reasons—there was no way she could take a bath while still in the dress. She raised her hands to cover her bare breasts, standing before him in nothing but garter tights and white panties. He shook his head in disapproval, wrapping his strong hands around hers and pulling them away. “Never hide yourself from me, Sofia. Never.”
He stared at every inch of her body for a few seconds, the silence in the room growing deafening. Stalking toward her, Sofia fell back onto the bed, trying to scramble away, but her limbs wouldn’t cooperate. Viktor leaned in beside her, resting on one arm so his weight didn’t crush her. A shiver coursed through her as his hands roamed her body, exploring her like a map, from the space between her breasts down to her flat abdomen. Her breath hitched in her throat as he ventured dangerously lower, and Sofia pressed her thighs together, causing him to chuckle.
“Why fight so hard when you want me, Sofia?” he asked in a low tone, pulling her panties to the side, just as he had done last time. She thought it would be the same—he would torment her and leave her wanting more, trying to teach her a lesson. But suddenly, her back arched off the bed as two of his fingers slid inside her simultaneously. Her core clenched around him instantly, and Viktor’s eyes rolled back at the sensation.
“Fuck!” he blurted. “You’re so fucking wet. I can feel your juices flowing all over my fingers, and your pussy is gripping me so tight. Damn! You make me so hard.” He pressed deeper, his knuckles brushing against her, and Sofia felt like she was losing her mind. The moan she had tried so hard to contain escaped her in a rush of emotion, and she clung to the sheets as he drove his fingers in and out of her at a perfect pace. Sometimes, he went slowly, teasing and torturing her, but then he would suddenly pick up the pace, leaving her moaning without a care in the world.
Sofia screamed in passion, torn between pain and pleasure, pushed beyond her limits. It hit her in waves, full and relentless, crashing over her. A tremor coursed through her as Viktor curled his fingers, stroking her intensely in the midst of her orgasm.
A dull ache settled in her core when Viktor pulled away, a dark gleam in his eyes and a knowing smile on his lips. “I told you, Sofia,” he said quietly, “I always get what I want.”
She didn’t answer immediately, not trusting her lips to form anything coherent, her heart still racing from the intensity of what had just transpired. Instead, she stared at him, fighting the urge to look away. But she wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. She wouldn’t let him see how much he had affected her.
“I’ll never be yours,” she whispered, infusing her words with as much defiance as she could muster, even while naked beneath him. “Not in the way you want.”
Viktor’s eyes darkened, his lips curling into a dangerous smile. “We’ll see about that, Sofia.”